Antique Book Shelf Unit
1880s Arts and Crafts Antique Book Shelf Unit
Pine
Late 19th Century American Adirondack Antique Book Shelf Unit
Wood
1920s Art Deco Antique Book Shelf Unit
Walnut
Late 19th Century Dutch Industrial Antique Book Shelf Unit
Slate, Iron
Early 20th Century British Industrial Antique Book Shelf Unit
Glass, Oak
1870s Swedish Brutalist Antique Book Shelf Unit
Pine
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2010s American Modern Antique Book Shelf Unit
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Bohemian Antique Book Shelf Unit
Brass
2010s Austrian Jugendstil Antique Book Shelf Unit
Silk
17th Century Japanese Edo Antique Book Shelf Unit
Copper, Gold
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Antique Book Shelf Unit
Glass, Oak
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Antique Book Shelf Unit
Brass, Bronze, Iron
19th Century English Sheraton Antique Book Shelf Unit
Glass, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Antique Book Shelf Unit
Paper
Late 19th Century French Antique Book Shelf Unit
Wood
Late 19th Century English Arts and Crafts Antique Book Shelf Unit
Wood, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Czech Art Deco Antique Book Shelf Unit
Wood, Oak
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Book Shelf Unit
Fruitwood, Cane
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Antique Book Shelf Unit
Metal
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Antique Book Shelf Unit
Steel
Early 20th Century Hungarian Country Antique Book Shelf Unit
Pine
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Book Shelf Unit
Marble, Bronze
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Early 20th Century Welsh Late Victorian Antique Book Shelf Unit
Pine
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Antique Book Shelf Unit
Oak
Mid-19th Century Victorian Antique Book Shelf Unit
Mahogany
Late 19th Century British Antique Book Shelf Unit
Brass
Early 20th Century Gothic Revival Antique Book Shelf Unit
Oak
1920s American Mission Antique Book Shelf Unit
Leather, Oak
19th Century Antique Book Shelf Unit
1830s English William IV Antique Book Shelf Unit
Mahogany
Late 19th Century Mission Antique Book Shelf Unit
Glass, Walnut
Late 19th Century French Empire Antique Book Shelf Unit
Bronze
1920s French Empire Antique Book Shelf Unit
Brass
Early 20th Century French Other Antique Book Shelf Unit
Metal
1920s Art Deco Antique Book Shelf Unit
Oak
Early 20th Century American Industrial Antique Book Shelf Unit
Steel
19th Century Belgian Antique Book Shelf Unit
Oak
Early 20th Century American Antique Book Shelf Unit
18th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Book Shelf Unit
Wood, Paint
Finding the Right storage-case-pieces for You
Of all the antique and vintage case pieces and storage cabinets that have become popular in modern interiors over the years, dressers, credenzas and cabinets have long been home staples, perfect for routine storage or protection of personal items.
In the mid-19th century, cabinetmakers would mimic styles originating in the Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI eras for their dressers, bookshelves and other structures, and, later, simpler, streamlined wood designs allowed these “case pieces” or “case goods” — any furnishing that is unupholstered and has some semblance of a storage component — to blend into the background of any interior.
Mid-century modern furniture enthusiasts will cite the tall modular wall units crafted in teak and other sought-after woods of the era by the likes of George Nelson, Poul Cadovius and Finn Juhl. For these highly customizable furnishings, designers of the day delivered an alternative to big, heavy bookcases by considering the use of space — and, in particular, walls — in new and innovative ways. Mid-century modern credenzas, which, long and low, evolved from tables that were built as early as the 14th century in Italy, typically have no legs or very short legs and have grown in popularity as an alluring storage option over time.
Although the name immediately invokes images of clothing, dressers were initially created in Europe for a much different purpose. This furnishing was initially a flat-surfaced, low-profile side table equipped with a few drawers — a common fixture used to dress and prepare meats in English kitchens throughout the Tudor period. The drawers served as perfect utensil storage. It wasn’t until the design made its way to North America that it became enlarged and equipped with enough space to hold clothing and cosmetics. The very history of storage case pieces is a testament to their versatility and well-earned place in any room.
In the spirit of positioning your case goods center stage, decluttering can now be design-minded.
A contemporary case piece with open shelving and painted wood details can prove functional as a storage unit as easily as it can a room divider. Whether you’re seeking a playful sideboard made of colored glass and metals, an antique Italian hand-carved storage cabinet or a glass-door vitrine to store and show off your collectibles, there are options for you on 1stDibs.
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